Michael Stiegler | WhyDid.com

Why Did You Wear That: The Odd Couple (Costume)

By admin|October 31st, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

As I mentioned, Halloween can be a bit like New Year’s Eve. Many people get very into their costumery and a lot of those people happen to be couples. Being someone who normally loves a theme, I can’t explicitly identify why I’m less than enthusiastic about this year’s Hallow’s Eve, but I am. Rather than race around gathering the ingredients for the world’s most clever costume, I’ve, instead, assembled items I already own and have let them begin to take on a lives of their own. I’m calling it, “interpretive dressing.” When people ask me what I’m going to “be” (and they ask a lot), I simply shrug and let them know that remains to be seen.

But, back to those poor fellows being forced into theme in order to appease their lady beloveds. A guy friend of mine, was informed that not only would he be hosting a Halloween soiree, he’d need a costume. I suggested he go as a wrecking ball and his girlfriend could be Miley Cyrus. When he vetoed that, my next suggestion was to go rogue and dress up as a bumper car so as to take out his aggression as party proprietor.

The best $8 dollars I ever spent was during a recent trip to Home Goods with a friend of mine. We were on the search for a throw pillow or a tissue holder or some other household item that you never knew you needed (and probably don’t), but when I stumbled upon a Smitty sized turtle costume, mission was temporarily aborted and costume was acquired. Not long after at a French themed dinner party with my girlfriends, I told them of my purchase and one exclaimed, “Please tell me you’re going as a rabbit!” I hadn’t thought about it, but once she said it, I thought it was a pretty solid suggestion. Oh… except for one thing… Smitty is a dog. Sure, it would make for cute photos (who the hell is going to take them?), but upon exiting my home, I’d just be some chick in a bunny costume. Truth be told, I’ve brought out stranger “props” than a living animal and if I would ever get around to registering Smit as a service dog this would be a non-issue. But alas, my little turtle must stay in his shell. It’s entirely possible that dressing your dog is the new “cat lady,” but offering him a peanut butter chewbone in return for his services seems like a bargain compared to dealing with a human beau. (Several reasons why here). And honestly, is dressing your dog any worse than dressing your boyfriend in a coordinating denim ensemble?

Oh, and if you’re looking to make your own ears, check out my DIY here.

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: A Day at the Office

By admin|October 17th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Working from home has its obvious perks. Wine for breakfast, dog friendly, flexible work hours, pajamas welcome. Though fewer, it also has its downfalls. One of which I’m convinced I’ve contracted called “agoraphobia.” Another, though disguised as an upside, is never really needing to put on pants. Without the need to put on clothing that doesn’t include elastane in the fiber contents, it’s fairly easy to overlook your ever growing waistline.

Also, there are those times when my job does require me to interact with other humans and show face in professional work environments and that’s about the time I shift into a near panic attack as I stare into the abyss of my closet because we are always expected to wear some kind of uniforms that are part of are business attire. What the hell do people wear to work? Are crop tops considered business casual? What if I wear one with a blazer?

When I received this ponté fit and flare dress from Daisy Fuentes for Kohl’s, I knew immediately that it was the perfect option for these terrorizing occasions. Never again would I break into a sweat before a business meeting because this curve hugging, office appropriate dress is the perfect combination of classic and cool. With a few added accessories like a studded belt, leather jacket, and strappy pumps, I felt professional without being overly prissy. At this rate, I may have to get a desk job.

(P.S. you’re welcome, RKF. I’ll happily take a cut of the commission earned from this post).

dress: c/o Daisy Fuentes for Kohl’s, belt: DVF, similar by B-Low the Belt here, shoes: Sam Edelman, jacket: Marc New York, bag: Balenciaga, lipcolor: Clinique Different Lipstick in Angel Red

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Seeing Red

By admin|September 22nd, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

It can be tricky trying to decide what color to wear with red. When I was younger, I had an incredibly strong aversion to wearing black with red. To me, it came off as a little cheap. I don’t feel as strongly about it now as I did when I was sixteen, but I still prefer other options over basic black when accessorizing with bold red. Well then, what options is one left with when black is eliminated? You could opt for luggage colored brown, or even a soft taupe. Another great option is grey (also a fall trend). In this instance, I had forgotten I even had these deep oxblood Pour La Victoire boots hidden beneath my bed (that’s how we store shoes here in New York). As soon as I’d wiped away the dust bunnies, I recalled that I also had a vintage bag from my mother that was of the same shade. Once a complete faux pas and something only worn by women donning their Sunday best for morning mass, I threw caution to the wind and got wild by matching my shoes to my bag. Another option right on trend would be to wear a leopard boot or carry a leopard clutch (thous in this instance, I’d opt for one or the other). It may seem a little bit “The Nanny” but I actually believe despite what men say, that leopard is sort of a new neutral. Besides, did Fran not get her man?

Speaking of my man and matching, Smitty celebrated his eighth birthday and one of his doting aunts was sweet enough to bestow him with his own scarlet sweater. She pays attention to fall trends too. Pretty much Smitty and I became this fall’s Justin and Britney, Katy and Riff Raff. Sure, my sweater is just about the same size as Smitty’s and technically it’s just an oversized jumper as opposed to an official frock, but it’s not the first, nor will it be the last, time wherein I wear something not as it’s intended.

coat: Michael Kors, sweater: Zara, similar by 6397 here, bag: vintage, similar by Oliveve here, shoes: Pour La Victoire, similar by Opening Ceremony here, dog: Smitty, Smitty’s sweater: handmade, similar by Ralph Lauren here, lips: Benefit Benetint

xx,

WhyDid

Photos by Michael Stiegler—-> have you check out his interview with Skinny Says Relax?

Why Did You Wear That: Runway Rewind

By admin|September 13th, 2014|Personal Style, Why Did You Wear That?|

Oh, hey there. In case you don’t have access to cable or a smartphone, last week (and a half) was New York Fashion Week. The fashion elite have since jetted off to London for round two, but here’s a little sneak peak into what was my NYFW experience. I kept things pretty quiet on Instagram as when I scrolled through my own feed, I was bombarded with photo after photo… after photo of the shows. I tried to snap shots of things that not everyone was capturing- like bored little girls in the front row and the contents of my bag. This wasn’t my first rodeo and I can wax poetic like all of those annoying New Yorkers who recall a city of a different era. A city that still had a little grit and required more than a weird outfit to garner getting papped outside Lincoln Center. (Did you see the Jimmy Fallon bit?). So, while I miss when Fashion Week was more about fashion that it was fluff, I am happy to have been a part of another New York ritual.

dress: KNITZ by For Love & Lemons, top: American Apparel, bag: Alexander Wang, shoes: UNIF 94 Heels, lipcolor: Clinique

xx,

WhyDid

Photography by Michael Stiegler

Why Did You Wear That: Leader of the (Back) Pack

By admin|September 3rd, 2014|Why Did You Wear That?|

Backpacks aren’t anything new- we brought back the pack both last year (here) and the year before (here). Long gone are the days of bulky canvas Kipling and Jansport and the current iterations aren’t of Clueless microscopic proportions either. These bags are crafted of leathers, skins, and suede and embellished with shiny hardware in gold, silver, and in some instances even rose gold. While many equate backpacks to textbooks and pencil cases, the backpack has evolved well beyond the playground and has become fashion “it” girls’ new “it” bag. Trade in your slouchy tote for fall for a backpack slung over one shoulder or worn traditionally on two shoulders. Tag- you’re it.